ALSO Youth series gives Sarasota’s LGBTQ+ youth a voice

Watermark’s Good Page featured Healing Voices, a storytelling series built to support LGBTQ+ youth as they explore their mental health journeys. The idea came from one of ALSO Youth’s contracted therapists and is rooted in narrative therapy: when a young person is ready and chooses to share their story, telling it can be part of healing. A therapist decides when a youth is ready, and the team sets boundaries and makes sure a support system is in place first.

Executive Director Annie Berkness talks about why affirming care is so hard to find in Florida, from cost and insurance limits to long waitlists, and how ALSO often connects a young person with a therapist within a week. The first gathering took place in February 2026, with partners such as Equality Florida, Project Pride, and Embracing Our Differences helping spread the word. Her message to youth who feel unseen: “Your story has value.”